What Can I Do With It?

What are some examples of practical uses for 3D printing and scanning?

3D printing and scanning can be used in a variety of disciplines to develop prototypes, create 3D models to represent data or to aid in visualisation, create 3D teaching aids, etc. Here are a few examples of practical uses in an educational environment:

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing allows you to "print" a three-dimensional object out of a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, and organic materials. Using a process called Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), a 3D printer would deposit hot plastic on to a build plate in layers that set instantly to build up a 3D object.

For more details, watch this video:

What is 3D Scanning?

3D scanning allows you to create a 3D computer model representation a physical object. You can then use this model as a base to adjust or build upon, or to eventually 3D print. There are different ways in which 3D scanners work, some rotate small objects on a turntable to scan them, while others are handheld devices that are moved around larger objects to scan them.

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